Freelance in Germany

Freelance in Germany: how freelancers pay taxes, get paid by foreign clients and find work, and which skills are in demand. Hire or offer services on Kits.

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The freelance market in Germany

Germany is Europe's largest freelance market, with high rates for IT consultants, developers, designers, translators and engineers. Many companies hire freelancers on project contracts through agencies and direct contracts, and remote work for German clients is common across Europe.

Taxes and legal status

Liberal professions (Freiberufler) such as developers, designers, writers and consultants register with the tax office (Finanzamt) and get a tax number; trades register a Gewerbe and may pay trade tax. Income tax is progressive. The small business rule (Kleinunternehmerregelung) exempts you from charging VAT if your turnover stays under the limits for the previous and current year. Health insurance is compulsory, and artists and writers can join the Künstlersozialkasse. Working only for one client for a long time can be treated as disguised employment (Scheinselbstständigkeit).

This is general information as of 2026, not tax or legal advice. Rates and thresholds change, so check them with the tax authority or a local accountant before you register.

Getting paid

German clients pay by SEPA bank transfer against an invoice (Rechnung) that must contain specific details, including your tax number. PayPal is popular for smaller jobs.

SEPA transfers against an invoice
PayPal
Wise and Revolut
Stripe invoices

Skills in demand

IT consulting and software development
SAP and enterprise systems
engineering and CAD
translation and copywriting in German
UI/UX design
performance marketing

Tips for freelancers in Germany

Get the invoice requirements right: German clients reject incomplete invoices.
Work with several clients to avoid the disguised-employment risk.
German-language work pays more, even if the client also speaks English.

Hiring a freelancer from Germany

Local time in Germany is UTC+1 (UTC+2 in summer), so agree in advance on the hours when you are both available for calls. Describe the task, the deadline and the budget in your first message, ask for examples of similar work, and fix what counts as done before work starts. If the work is for a local audience, a freelancer who knows the language and the market will save you rewrites.

Kits for freelancers in Germany

Kits is an international freelance marketplace that is not tied to one country. Freelancers in Germany can publish services with a portfolio and a clear price, or respond to clients' jobs, and talk to clients in the built-in chat. The first listing on each account is free, and the site works in nine languages, from English and Spanish to Russian, Turkish and Georgian.

Popular categories

All categories

Design Development & IT Writing & Translation Marketing & SMM Video & Animation Business Music & Audio

Frequently asked questions

Help center

How are freelancers taxed in Germany?

Freelancers are either Freiberufler (liberal professions, no trade tax) or Gewerbetreibende (trade licence, trade tax); both pay progressive income tax, and small businesses can use the Kleinunternehmer VAT exemption. Rules change, so check the current rates with the tax authority or an accountant before you register.

How do freelancers in Germany get paid by foreign clients?

The usual options are SEPA transfers against an invoice, PayPal, Wise and Revolut and Stripe invoices. Which one suits you depends on the client's country, the fees and how fast you need the money.

Which freelance skills are in demand in Germany?

IT consulting and software development, SAP and enterprise systems, engineering and CAD, translation and copywriting in German, UI/UX design and performance marketing.

Can I find a freelancer in Germany on Kits?

Yes. Kits is open to clients and freelancers from any country. Search the catalogue or post a job, compare portfolios and reviews, and agree on the details in the chat.